Dolphin excursion in Canet-en-Roussillon Sighting of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Lion A childhood dream come true

A dolphin excursion guided by naturalist expertise

Experience a 4- to 5-hour immersion in the heart of wildlife. The Navivoile catamaran welcomes a naturalist guide on board , who shares their passion and knowledge on every outing. Through captivating explanations, you'll uncover the secrets of the bottlenose dolphin 's ecology , as well as the fascinating biodiversity of the Gulf of Lion.

This educational approach allows you to truly understand what you are observing, including the cetacean's impressive diet (consuming up to 5 kg of fish per day!) and its group hunting techniques. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to encounter groups of 10 to 50 individuals in Catalan waters. These entire families sometimes enjoy surfing in the bow wave of the boat or leaping more than 3 meters above the water.

Beyond dolphins, keep your eyes open: the Mediterranean has other surprises in store for you, such as the ballet of gannets , the fleeting passage of a sunfish , or the power of a bluefin tuna on the hunt.

Awareness and protection: understanding to better preserve

Because observation alone is not enough, our guide also addresses the threats facing the bottlenose dolphin today , such as pollution and maritime traffic. You will discover the concrete protection measures implemented along our coastline to guarantee a secure future for these cetacean populations.

Reliability and respect for wildlife

With a 99% historical success rate and a perfect record over the last two years, Navivoile has established itself as the leading provider of dolphin encounters. Our regular observations attest to our expertise. Therefore, we respect the unpredictable nature of this unfenced natural environment.

Whatever happens, an adventure at sea offers a complete change of scenery . It's an opportunity to experience a magnificent interlude, where the conviviality of being on board combines with the raw beauty of the Mediterranean for a truly memorable outing.

Take your memories home with you: your photos are free.

Our team captures the highlights of the encounter so you can enjoy the moment without constantly looking at your camera. In addition, your guide will share photos of your observations with you free of charge . These photos can be downloaded directly from this website a few days after your excursion. Finally, you'll leave with a precious souvenir of your adventure at sea!

EFGL: A look at the future of the Mediterranean

Off the coast of Leucate and Barcarès, you might spot the three floating wind turbines of the EFGL (Floating Wind Turbines of the Gulf of Lion) project . These majestic structures, installed since September 2025, symbolize the energy transition in the Occitanie region. They currently supply nearly 50,000 residents with renewable electricity, reminding us that preserving the sea also requires solutions for the future.

The itinerary of your dolphin excursion in Canet

To maximize your chances of an encounter, we first head towards the feeding areas. Meanwhile, our experienced observers carefully scan the horizon. As soon as a blow or fin appears, the vessel reduces speed for a smooth approach, in accordance with current regulations.

What you can observe:

• • Bottlenose Dolphins interacting, hunting, or resting
• • Social behaviors : jumps, games and mother-child bond
• • Seabirds : Shearwaters and Northern Gannets in a dive
• • Diverse wildlife Bluefin tuna, sunfish (Mola mola), swordfish, marlin, etc…
• • Modern Horizon : the EFGL floating wind farm

Ready to set sail? Book your dolphin excursion in Canet online now.

High Season – duration 4 hours(From 04/07 to 30/08/2026)

• Adult (from 13 years old)

  65 €

• Child (2 12 to years)

  48 €

• Child (under 2)

  Offer form

Low Season – duration 5 hours (From 18/04 to 03/07 and from 31/08 to 04/10/2026)

• Adult (from 13 years old)

  74 €

• Child (2 12 to years)

  53 €

• Child (under 2)

  Offer form

Prices shown include VAT (All Taxes Included)

High season (July and August)

• Period : From 04/07 to 30/08/2026
• Release day: Every Thursday (duration 4 hours)
• Start Point: 12:00 am from Canet-en-Roussillon
• Return: 16:00 PM in Canet-en-Roussillon

Low season (April, May, June, September and October)

• Period : From 18/04 to 03/07 and from 31/08 to 04/10/2026
• Release day: Variable (duration 5 hours)
• Start Point: Schedule confirmed – departure from Canet-en-Roussillon
• Return: Schedule confirmed – return to Canet-en-Roussillon

Payment methods

• Online booking : It is not mandatory to print your "order form". You can simply write down the reservation name and order number on a piece of paper.
• Accepted payment methods: Credit card (ticket office and website), Cash, (1) ANCV paper holiday vouchers (ticket office only) and (2) ANCV Connect Holiday Vouchers. Bank checks are not accepted.

(1) ANCV paper holiday vouchers:

If you are not in town, we invite you to make an online reservation by credit card. Upon boarding, you will then present your paper ANCV holiday vouchers . A few days after boarding, we will process the refund of the initial card payment (minus the 3,5% commission). Simply specify this in the "comments" section when making your reservation. In the event of a cancellation without the possibility of rescheduling, we will return your paper ANCV holiday vouchers to you.

(2) ANCV Connect Holiday Vouchers:

Available on the website or at the ticket office. In case of cruise cancellation without the possibility of rescheduling, two options are available: a voucher valid for 18 months or a refund by bank transfer (please provide your bank details) – note that a 3,5% commission will be deducted from the amount paid.

What to expect & Health tips

• Equipment: Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a windbreaker. Don't forget your charged camera! For observing the sea, binoculars are useful for scanning the horizon.
• Hydration: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on board. Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous to your health; please drink responsibly.
• Seasickness: We strongly recommend that people prone to seasickness take an anti-nausea medication (such as Mercalm 30 minutes beforehand or Cocculine the day before). Have a substantial breakfast, avoid fatty foods, and spend time outdoors.

Onboard Restaurant & Bar

For your comfort, a Snack-Bar and light catering service is open at all times on all our cruises.

• Picnic : Allowed under the client's responsibility (hygiene). Bringing outside drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) on board is not permitted.
• Hydration: As an exception, you are allowed to bring your own personal water bottles. Important note: The water available at the ship's toilets and water points is not potable. Fresh mineral water is available for purchase at the bar.
• By booking this cruise, the customer agrees to comply with these safety and hygiene instructions on board.

Accessibility and Family

• Disability: For people using wheelchairs, please note that the toilets are not wheelchair accessible, as they are too narrow.
• Parents: Children of all ages are welcome.
• Accompaniment: Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Pets

Pets (dogs, cats, etc.) are accepted given that the duration of the voyage remains bearable for your little companions.

Safety instructions on board

• Tobacco: In accordance with decree 2006-1386, smoking is prohibited on the decks and in the gondola (for fire safety and comfort reasons). An ashtray is available at the rear, near the toilets: smoking is permitted within a 2-meter radius, provided it does not disturb other passengers. Never throw ashes or cigarette butts on the deck or into the sea. Vaping is permitted ONLY on the outside decks.
• Behavior : Running or jumping on the nets is prohibited. Remove your shoes before climbing onto the nets (max 6 people/net). Always hold on with one hand (“one hand for yourself, one hand for the boat”).
• Swimming: Not permitted on this cruise. Furthermore, swimming with cetaceans in a marine protected area is strictly prohibited and severely punished by law.

Parking in Canet-en-Roussillon

The PORT/ONIRIA car parks are the closest to the ferry terminal. They are subject to a fee in June and September (9:00-12:00 and 14:00-20:00) and in July and August (9:00-00:24) – located between 50 and 100 meters away (a 2-minute walk). The city of Canet has implemented a new mobile parking payment service using the Flowbird app . Outside of these periods, from June 1st to September 30th, the PORT/ONIRIA car parks are free.

Tips for paying less for parking from June 1st to September 30th:

• Park along theCaptain Delestrain Avenue (towards Le Brasilia campsite) then use the Pass'Port Shuttle (€0,50/trip).
• "Santorini" parking lot : Free, located 1200m from the pier (17 min walk).

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Due to the crowds in Canet-en-Roussillon late morning, we strongly recommend arriving in town early. Allow sufficient time for parking to ensure you can board the ferry.

⚠️ PARKING INFORMATION: During the Sea and Fishermen's Festival (August 12-15) , access and parking conditions (temporary restrictions) around the PORT/ONIRIA parking lots will be modified by municipal decree. We advise you to disregard certain signs or familiar navigation systems (especially on your GPS ) and to use the Santorin Parking lot to ensure a smooth boarding experience.

Exit conditions

• Weather & Technical: Changes to the program may occur depending on the weather or any technical problems encountered.
• Cancellation: In the event of cancellation on our part, the outing will either be postponed or fully refunded.
• Absence : Any passenger who is absent at the precise departure time will not be reimbursed.